Grade I Thoroughbred horse race
Horse race
The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California . It is currently run at a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles on the dirt and carries a purse of US$750,000 . It is one of the final prep races on the official Road to the Kentucky Derby .
Inaugurated in 1935, the Santa Anita Derby has long been considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby . Since 2013, it has been part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby , offering the winner 100 points and thus assuring a position in the starting gate.[ 3] Since its inception, ten Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby (shown in bold in the Winners section below), plus seven horses who lost at Santa Anita went on to triumph in Kentucky. In 1988, Winning Colors became the first and to date only filly to win both Derbies. Santa Anita Derby winners have also been successful in other Triple Crown races, with Affirmed sweeping the series in 1978.[ 4]
Now run at a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles (9 Furlongs), for the first three years it was run at 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles, and at 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles in 1947.[ 5] Until 2008, the race had been run on a natural dirt surface. The race has been contested on Cushion Track (2008) and Pro-Ride (2009 & 2010) artificial surfaces. In 2011, the race returned to dirt.[ 1]
In 1938, Stagehand became the only colt to win both the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap in the same year, defeating eventual Horse of the Year Seabiscuit in the latter.[ 5]
Prep races leading to the Santa Anita Derby include the San Rafael Stakes , San Miguel Stakes , Sham Stakes , San Vicente Stakes , San Pedro Stakes, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the San Felipe Stakes , all run at Santa Anita Park. The Sham, Robert Lewis and San Felipe are also on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
As a result of World War II, there were no races held from 1942 to 1944. The 2020 race was held on Saturday June 6 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At age 17, Pat Valenzuela became the youngest jockey to win the Santa Anita Derby when he rode Codex to victory in the 1980 race.
In 2000, Jenine Sahadi became the first woman trainer to win the Santa Anita Derby.
In 2005, Jeff Mullins became the first trainer to win three consecutive editions of the Santa Anita Derby.
Speed Record: Three horses share the record for the fastest winning time of 1:47 flat:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey :
9 – Gary Stevens (1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)
Most wins by a Trainer :
9 – Bob Baffert (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance (Miles)
Time
Grade
2024
Stronghold
Antonio Fresu
Philip D’Amato
Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.98
I
2023
Practical Move
Ramon A. Vazquez
Tim Yakteen
Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.69
I
2022
Taiba
Mike E. Smith
Tim Yakteen
Zedan Racing Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.46
I
2021
Rock Your World
Umberto Rispoli
John W. Sadler
Hronis Racing LLC and David Michael Talla
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.17
I
2020
Honor A. P.
Mike E. Smith
John Shirreffs
C R K Stable LLC
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.97
I
2019
Roadster
Mike E. Smith
Bob Baffert
Speedway Stable LLC
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:51.28
I
2018
Justify
Mike E. Smith
Bob Baffert
Winstar Farm , China Horse Club, SF Racing LLC
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.72
I
2017
Gormley
Victor Espinoza
John Shirreffs
Jerry Moss & Ann Moss
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:51.16
I
2016
Exaggerator
Kent J. Desormeaux
J. Keith Desormeaux
Big Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch, Head Of Plain Parthers & J. Keith Desormeaux
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.66
I
2015
Dortmund
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Kaleem Shah
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.73
I
2014
California Chrome
Victor Espinoza
Art Sherman
Martin Perry & Steve Coburn
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.52
I
2013
Goldencents
Kevin Krigger
Doug O'Neill
W. C. Racing, D. Kenney, RAP Racing
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.78
I
2012
I'll Have Another
Mario Gutierrez
Doug O'Neill
J. Paul Reddam
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.88
I
2011
Midnight Interlude
Victor Espinoza
Bob Baffert
Arnold Zetcher
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.56
I
2010
Sidney's Candy
Joe Talamo
John W. Sadler
Sid & Jenny Craig
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
2009
Pioneerof the Nile
Garrett Gomez
Bob Baffert
Zayat Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.17
I
2008
Colonel John
Corey Nakatani
Eoin G. Harty
WinStar Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.16
I
2007
Tiago
Mike E. Smith
John Shirreffs
Jerry & Ann Moss
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.51
I
2006
Brother Derek
Alex Solis
Dan Hendricks
Cecil Peacock
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
2005
Buzzards Bay
Mark Guidry
Jeff Mullins
Fog City Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.18
I
2004
Castledale
Jose Valdivia Jr.
Jeff Mullins
Frank Lyons & Greg Knee
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.24
I
2003
Buddy Gil
Gary Stevens
Jeff Mullins
Desperado Stables, Donnie McFadden & Merrill Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.36
I
2002
Came Home
Chris McCarron
Paco J. Gonzalez
John Toffan, Trudy McCaffery , William S. Farish III & John B. Goodman
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.02
I
2001
Point Given
Gary Stevens
Bob Baffert
The Thoroughbred Corp.
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.77
I
2000
The Deputy
Chris McCarron
Jenine Sahadi
Team Valor & Gary Barber
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.08
I
1999
General Challenge
Gary Stevens
Bob Baffert
Golden Eagle Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.92
I
1998
Indian Charlie
Gary Stevens
Bob Baffert
Hal Earnhardt & John R. Gaines
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.00
I
1997
Free House
Kent Desormeaux
J. Paco Gonzalez
John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
I
1996
Cavonnier
Chris McCarron
Bob Baffert
Walter Family Trust
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.91
I
1995
Larry the Legend
Gary Stevens
Craig A. Lewis
Craig A. Lewis
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.99
I
1994
Brocco
Gary Stevens
Randy Winick
Albert R. Broccoli
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.33
I
1993
Personal Hope
Gary Stevens
Mark A. Hennig
Lee & Debi Lewis
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.03
I
1992
A.P. Indy
Ed Delahoussaye
Neil Drysdale
Tomonori Tsurumaki
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.25
I
1991
Dinard
Chris McCarron
Richard J. Lundy
Allen E. Paulson
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
1990
Mister Frisky
Gary Stevens
Laz Barrera
Solymar Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
I
1989
Sunday Silence
Pat Valenzuela
Charlie Whittingham
H-G-W Partners
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
I
1988
Winning Colors †
Gary Stevens
D. Wayne Lukas
Eugene V. Klein
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.80
I
1987
Temperate Sil
Bill Shoemaker
Charlie Whittingham
Frankfurt Stables & Charlie Whittingham
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
I
1986
Snow Chief
Alex Solis
Melvin F. Stute
Grinstead & Rochelle
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.60
I
1985
Skywalker
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Michael Whittingham
Oak Cliff Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.40
I
1984
Mighty Adversary
Ed Delahoussaye
Tommy Doyle
M/M Felty J. Yoder
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
I
1983
Marfa
Jorge Velásquez
D. Wayne Lukas
French, Beal, D. Wayne Lukas
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.40
I
1982
Muttering
Laffit Pincay Jr.
D. Wayne Lukas
Tartan Farms (James & Virginia Binger)
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
I
1981
Splendid Spruce
Darrel McHargue
Chay R. Knight
Surf and Turf Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
I
1980
Codex
Pat Valenzuela
D. Wayne Lukas
Tartan Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
I
1979
Flying Paster
Donald Pierce
Gordon C. Campbell
Bernard J. Ridder
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
1978
Affirmed
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Laz Barrera
Harbor View Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
1977
Habitony
Bill Shoemaker
Tommy Doyle
Anthony W. Pejsa
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.20
I
1976
An Act
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Ron McAnally
Katz RobertBrun Roberts
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
I
1975
Avatar
Jorge Tejeira
Tommy Doyle
Arthur A. Seeligson Jr.
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
I
1974
Destroyer
Ismael Valenzuela
Monti C. Sims
Kenneth Opstein
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.80
I
1973
Sham
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Frank "Pancho" Martin
Sigmund Sommer
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.00
I
1972
Solar Salute
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Louis Glauburg
M/M John J. Elmore
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.60
1971
Jim French
Ángel Cordero Jr.
John P. Campo
Frank Caldwell
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.20
1970
Terlago
Bill Shoemaker
Jerry M. Fanning
Samuel J. Agnew
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.40
1969
Majestic Prince
Bill Hartack
Johnny Longden
Frank M. McMahon
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.20
1968
Alley Fighter
Laffit Pincay Jr.
James W. Maloney
Cragwood Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
1967
Ruken
Fernando Alvarez
Clyde Turk
Louis R. Rowan
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.80
1966
Boldnesian
Walter Blum
James W. Maloney
William Haggin Perry
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.40
1965
Lucky Debonair
Bill Shoemaker
Frank Catrone
Ada L. Rice
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.00
1964
Hill Rise
Donald Pierce
William B. Finnegan
El Peco Ranch
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.40
1963
Candy Spots
Bill Shoemaker
Mesh Tenney
Rex C. Ellsworth
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.20
1962
Royal Attack
Edward Burns
William J. Hirsch
Neil S. McCarthy
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.60
1961
Four-and-Twenty
Johnny Longden
Vance Longden
Alberta Ranches, Ltd.
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.00
1960
Tompion
Bill Shoemaker
Robert L. Wheeler
Cornelius V. Whitney
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:47.80
1959
Silver Spoon †
Raymond York
Robert L. Wheeler
Cornelius V. Whitney
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.00
1958
Silky Sullivan
Bill Shoemaker
Reggie Cornell
Tom Ross & Phil Klipstein
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.40
1957
Sir William
Henry E. Moreno
Cecil Jolly
Louella & Herbert Armstrong
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:54.20
1956
Terrang
Bill Shoemaker
Mesh Tenney
Rex C. Ellsworth
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:51.00
1955
Swaps
Johnny Longden
Mesh Tenney
Rex C. Ellsworth
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.00
1954
Determine
Raymond York
William Molter
Andrew J. Crevolin
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.80
1953
Chanlea
Eddie Arcaro
Horace A. Jones
Calumet Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:49.80
1952
Hill Gail
Ted Atkinson
Horace A. Jones
Calumet Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.00
1951
Rough'n Tumble
Eddie Arcaro
Melvin Calvert
Frances Genter
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.40
1950
Your Host
Johnny Longden
Harry L. Daniels
William Goetz
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:48.80
1949
Old Rockport
Gordon Glisson
Phil Reilly
Clifford Mooers
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.20
1948
Salmagundi
Johnny Longden
William M. Booth
William G. Helis
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:51.20
1947
On Trust
Johnny Longden
William Molter
Earl O. Stice & Sons
1+ 1 ⁄4
2:03.20
1946
Knockdown
Robert Permane
James W. Smith
Maine Chance Farm
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.60
1945
Bymeabond
George Woolf
Wayne B. Stucki
J. Kel Houssels
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.00
1941
Porter's Cap
Leon Haas
Tom Smith
Charles S. Howard
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:54.40
1940
Sweepida
Ralph Neves
L. Roy Staples
H. C. "Dutch" Hill
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:51.60
1939
Ciencia†
Carroll Bierman
William J. Hirsch
King Ranch
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.60
1938
Stagehand
Jack Westrope
Earl Sande
Maxwell Howard
1+ 1 ⁄8
1:50.40
1937
Fairy Hill
Maurice Peters
Richard E. Handlen
William du Pont Jr.
1 1/16
1:45.80
1936
He Did
Wayne D. Wright
J. Thomas Taylor
Suzanne Mason
1 1/16
1:49.40
1935
Gillie
Silvio Coucci
William Brennan
Greentree Stable
1 1/16
1:44.60
† Indicates filly
Bold typeface indicates Kentucky Derby winner